We Have A Winner: North Escambia Fantasy Five Ticket Worth $81,429.14
June 2, 2012
A Fantasy 5 ticket purchased Friday in North Escambia is worth $81,429.14.
The winning ticket, with numbers 09-19-23-26-29 — was sold at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville. It was one of three winning tickets sold in the state. The other winning tickets were sold in Jacksonville and Lake Alfred.
The $81,429.14 ticket sold in Davisville was not a “Quick Pick”, meaning the winner choose the correct numbers when purchasing the ticket rather than relying on computer generated numbers.
There were also 439 tickets with four correct numbers worth $89.50 each, and 11,949 with three of five numbers worth $9.00 each.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Graduation (With 200 Photos)
June 2, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Class of 2012 held a graduation program Friday at the school.
The students took part in the ceremony that had a slightly more casual and fun theme than a traditional high school pomp and circumstance graduation exercise.
Several students were honored with Superlative Awards with fun categories like Top Chef, Most Creative, Class Clowns, Loudest, Most Sarcastic and Mr. And Miss Perfectionist.
Superlative Award Winners were:
- Best Mathematician — Tristan Barrett
- Biggest History Buff — Ladarrius Thames
- Future Scientist- Jordan Taylor
- Top Chef — Emily Walston
- Best Author or Authoress — Madison Weber
- Biggest Computer Geek — Tyler Houston
- Avid Reader/Book Worm — Renee McGahan
- Most Creative — Meagan Ogle
- Highest Vocabulary — David Thorpe
- Class Clown(s) — Mark Lee, Kris Reber,
- Mr. Fashion and Miss Fashionista — Lillie Allen, Tyler Berry
- Biggest Flirt — Sharnice Spears, Jacob Dunsford
- Shyest — Elizabeth Sanders
- Loudest — Wykeyiah Barton and Sonya Dixon
- Most Hardworking — Haley Brown, Harmoni Till
- Mr. and Miss Perfectionists — Bethany Reynolds, Bradley Van Pelt
- Most Sarcastic — Jason Perritt and Lorri Harrell
Students participating in the graduation activities Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School were:
TOP TEN
- Haley Denenne Brown
- Abbie Elizabeth Johnson
- Moriah Renee McGahan
- Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds
- Savanna Brianne Roux
- David Franklin Thorpe
- Harmoni Faith Till
- Bradley Andrew Van Pelt
- Haylee Alease Weaver
- Madison Paige Weber
- Kaitlyn Noelle Abbott
- Jadlyn Skye Agerton
- Lillie Kathryn Allen
- James Austin Ates
- Shnala O’Daija Banks
- Olan Travis Barlow
- Nathan Andrew Barnes
- Tristan Michael Barrett
- Jessica Renee Barrows
- Tamara Lee Barrows
- Wykeyiah Sinclair Barton
- Olivia Antoinette Bellamy
- Matthew Dyllan Berry
- Tyler Christopher Berry
- Izaiah Malique Bivins
- George Dylan Bodie
- Jalyn Maddisen Bodiford
- Katelyn Michelle Born
- Alan Robert Brown
- William Christopher Brown
- Alexandria Lachelle Burt
- Demeteris Dontaye Burt
- Zachary Thomas Calloway
- Breanna Charmaine Campbell
- Ciara Ann Campbell
- Johna Monae Carter
- Colby Lee Clark
- Ureil Neil Codrington
- Judson Billyjoe Conatser
- Hunter Drew Connell
- Gavin Aubrey Coon
- Sonya Tameca Dixon
- Kasey Ray Dorch
- I’siah Lydell Dunn
- Jacob Wade Dunsford
- Sarah Elizabeth Dutton
- Leah Grace Fischer
- Amber Renee’ Freeman
- Bryce Ray Fugitt
- Ramsey Wade Gafford
- Nathan Anthony Galvan
- Ariel Danielle Garner
- Kaylyn Sierra Garnett
- Jamie Ray Garrett
- Hanna Nicole Ging
- Robert Zachary Glenn
- Jaelyn Kieran Goldsmith
- Christopher Gavin Grant
- Cheyenne Raven Gray
- Tristan Gregory Blake Green
- Dariane Breeze Guy
- Magen Marie Hardy
- Kuper Ray Harkness
- Lorri Hope Harrell
- Samuel Eugene Hassebrock
- Michael Heaton
- Jordan Noelle Helmeken
- Zachary Tyler Holland
- Tyler Ray Houston
- Brayden William Hubbard
- Jakeyia Vonshae James
- Aquarius Sharda Jay
- Angel Celeste Johnson
- Jacob Adam Johnson
- Tonie Breanna Johnson
- Richard Allen Jones
- Amy Ann Kite
- Kaitlyn Nicole Kleinatland
- Haley Marie Lambert
- Kendral Autumn Mae Langford
- Trevor James Lassitter
- Charles Mark Lee
- Trevor Dale Levins
- Madison Juanita Lundy
- Yhsyionia Shardez McConico
- Sykeema Anastasia McConico
- Cody Eugene McNeil
- Bethany Anne Merchant
- Kerri Cheyanne Merchant
- Hadiya Noelle Mitchell
- Thomas Monroe Moore
- Steffon Makyris Murphy
- Cody Carl Nellums
- Meagan Nicole Ogle
- Brianna Nicole Parker
- Kelly Oasis Payne
- Liberty Danielle Peebles
- Jason Andrew Perritt
- Eric Younge Phillips
- Kevin Ashton Pippins
- Joshua Nicholas Poston
- Benjamin Tate Preston
- Olivia Simone Price
- Terrance Malachi Prime
- Laurie Elaine Purdy
- John Triston Reaves
- Kristofer Todd Reber
- Courtney Nicole Reid
- Grady Bryant Rigby
- Darion Taylor Riley
- Danielle Chanel Robinson
- Elizabeth Anne Sanders
- Julian Carter Satterwhite
- Lindsey Nekole Sims
- Nathan James Singleton
- Jamilia Nicole Smiley-Knight
- Kyle David William Smith
- Levi Godwin Solomon
- Sharnice Labraishia Spears
- O’Neshia Kuina Spencer
- Kayla Nichole Stalvey
- Zachary Thomas Steele-Reich
- Warren Lamar Suggs, Jr.
- Colten James Sunday
- Brianna Monique’ Taylor
- Jordan Caroline Taylor
- Ladarrius Deante Thames
- Joshua Edward Thomas
- Jared Elijah Townley
- Asja Mo’na Trotter
- Olivia Danielle Trump
- Miranda Marie Vidak
- William Mcdonald Walker
- Emily Brooke Walston
- Brittney Christina Ward
- Carly Marie Ward
- Jensyn Lillian Troy Warner
- Brianna Letricia Weaden
- Courtney Bryce Weekley
- Austin Ray Whitehead
- Morgan Cheyenne Wiggins
- Timothy Robert Wiggins
- Sabrina Rena Wine
- Allison Joy Woodfin
Every Wondered Which Daylilies Will Work In Your Garden?
June 2, 2012
Have you ever wondered which daylilies to plant in your garden? “Mondays in the Gardens“ will feature “Dazzling Daylilies” on June 11 at 10 am at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center Gardens. Find out everything you need to know about collecting and growing these beautiful flowers. The program is under the direction of UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners. Tina Tuttle will deliver the presentation. It is free and open to the public.
Tina is a National Garden Club Horticulture Instructor. She serves as President for the Florida Flower Show Judges and Assistant District Director for FFGC District I. Additionally she currently serves as vice president for the Friends of the Gardens of Northwest Florida.
The UF/IFAS WREC Gardens are located on the Milton campus of Pensacola State College. Follow the signs on campus to find the gardens. The program will be in the Shade Garden.
Two Escambia Men Arrested In Armed Burglary
June 2, 2012
Two men were arrested Friday for armed burglary after they entered the apartment of two females on Michigan Avenue.
The victim told 911 dispatchers that two black males had pushed their way into her apartment and began fighting with her and her mother. The victim later told deputies during the altercation one of the suspects had pulled a handgun. The victims were able to push the suspects out of the apartment and contact law enforcement.
A description of the suspects and their vehicle was provided to dispatchers. A deputy spotted the suspected vehicle and followed it to an address in the 5200 block of Charbar Drive. The suspects ran from the vehicle into the house where deputies later took both into custody.
A search of the suspects and the area failed to yield the gun that was allegedly used in the crime.
Dealex M. Sumler, 19, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Tywan C. Bedgood, 18, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and battery.
Northview Names Honor Grads
June 2, 2012
Honors graduates for Northview High School’s Class of 2012 were recently named.
They are as follows:
Pictured top: Northview Class of 2012 Summa Cum Laude graduates (4.0 and above) are Valedictorian Elizabeth Ashley Wright, Salutatorian Holly Nicole Dickson, Joel Nathaniel Wetzel, Amber Dianrie Francis, Josie Britt Doucette, Caleb Wesley Leonard, Jamila Akilah Codrington, Lydia Ann Weaver. Not pictured: Lindsay Beth Hedgepeth.
Pictured inset: Northview Class of 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are (L-R) Brian Jeffrey Ross, HenryJoseph Baldwin, Charla Suzanne Stark and (not pictured) Taylor Leigh Ann Dukes
Pictured below: Northview Class of 2012 Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are: Arthur Jacob Baldwin, Austin Randall Albritton, Timothy Lucas White, (not pictured) Camilah Joy Goetter, Chelsea Grace Parham, Melissa Jayne Moretz, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Lauren Ashley McCall, Caroline Lindsay Prater and Savannah Dyan Singleton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Bread Store Robbery
June 2, 2012
An Escambia County man was arrested Friday shortly after robbing a discount bread store and assaulting the elderly clerk.
About 12:30 p.m., Vincent L. Johnson, 39, entered the Dolly Madison bread store at 1815 West Fairfield Drive and got into a scuffle with the clerk, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The 71-year old clerk was knocked to the ground, and Johnson fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
A witness was able to get a vehicle description that led deputies to the 3200 block of Tarragona Street where they were able to take Johnson into custody.
Johnson was charged with battery on a person 65 year of age of older, petit theft and robbery without a firearm. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $21,000.
The clerk, whose name has not yet been released, was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Generals Sweep Doubleheader Over The Pensacola Wahoos
June 2, 2012
The Generals swept Pensacola in their double header, taking the first contest 6-1, before Jackson walked off with a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Wahoos in the second game on Friday evening at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jackson took the opening game of the twinbill behind a solid seven inning complete game effort from starting pitcher Brandon Maurer. The right-hander earned his third win of the year after yielding only a lone earned run on just four hits in his strong outing. Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits in three frames, though relievers Chris Manno and Wilkin De La Rosa combined for three shutout frames in the defeat.
The Generals powered ahead to an early 5-0 advantage in the opening frame. C Jesus Sucre started the scoring by driving in two with a single to right, his first of four hits in the contest, before a fielding miscue allowed the next run to come across. LF Kalian Sams would then launch a solo homer to left to complete the inning’s output. A bases loaded free pass in the third extended the Jackson margin to 6-0.
The Blue Wahoos would plate their lone run in the fifth to dash the Generals’ shutout hopes. After 1B Joel Guzman reached on a lead-off walk, 3B P.J. Phillips sent in Guzman with a run-scoring double to center for Pensacola’s lone score of the contest.
It was a pitcher’s duel in game two with neither team giving way until the tenth, when the Blue Wahoos scored their only run of the contest. 3B David Vidal walked and advanced to third on 1B Stephen Hunt’s single prior to an RBI groundout from C Chris Berset, which put the Fish ahead.
The Generals however, would answer with two scores in the bottom of the frame to end the contest. Sucre singled and 1B Joseph Dunigan walked, before both moved a base on a wild pitch to set the stage for 3B Francisco Martinez. The third baseman grounded a single into right to bring home both Sucre and Dunigan to end the game and series.
Despite surrendering the run in the tenth, Jackson reliever Steven Hensley (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned the win to improve to 2-2, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss after yielding the final two tallies. Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), in addition to Donnie Joseph (1.1 IP, 3 SO) and Curtis Partch (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), totaled nine shutout frames, while Generals starter Jandy Sena (4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) teamed up with relief pitchers Bobby LaFraomboise (0.2 IP) and Carter Capps (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) for seven scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a five-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, beginning on Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the mound to begin the series, while the Suns are expected to start LHP Jose Alvarez.
By Andrew Green
Atmore Man Charged With Stabbing His Mother
June 1, 2012
A man that allegedly stabbed his own mother following a dispute over money is behind bars.
Dayshawn Dixon, age 27, of Atmore, was charged with domestic violence first degree and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton following the late night incident.
About 11:34 p.m. Thursday, the Atmore Police Department responded to a stabbing call on East 4th Street. They discovered that Dayshawn Dixon had allegedly stabbed his mother, 46-year old Kimberly Dixon, in the chest.
According to witnesses, Dayshawn Dixon became upset that his mother would not give him $200 from his Social Security check, so he retrieved a kitchen knife and stabbed her.
Kimberly Dixon was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by private vehicle. She was treated and released.
Gulf Power Still Seeks Rate Increase For North Escambia Power Plant
June 1, 2012
Gulf Power Company’s future plans still point toward a North Escambia generation facility, and the utility is still seeking a rate hike to to pay the costs associated with the purchase of thousands of acres near McDavid.
Wednesday afternoon, Gulf Power announced a $58.5 million rate decrease plan was being filed with Florida Public Service Commission. But a previously filed $2 million rate increase proposal is still pending before the PSC for the North Escambia facility.
Earlier this year, the Public Service Commission did not allow Gulf Power to pass along costs related to a potential nuclear-power plant site in North Escambia because the utility has not taken an initial step — known as getting a determination of need — for such a project.
Gulf Power has asked the PSC to allow $2 million in costs associated with the North Escambia land purchases. That would equate to about 20 cents per month for the average customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. The 20 cents would be more than offset by about a $10 per month savings from the rate decrease announced this week.
“This was the first time that the PSC has not allowed costs for land held for future use to be included in the base rate,” Sandy Sims, Gulf Power manager of public affairs, said.
The $2 million, just a fraction of the costs of the land acquisitions, would pay interest on finance agreements and fund environmental assessments on the North Escambia property.
Gulf Power has not said what type of power plant it wants to construct in North Escambia, but PSC filings indicate that it could be natural gas, coal or nuclear.
Pictured top: One of many houses that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. One of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore’s South Presley Street, Atmosphere Road To Be Resurfaced With State Grants
June 1, 2012
Two roads in Atmore and Poarch will be resurfaced under a state program announced Thursday by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley.
In Atmore, South Presley Street will resurfaced from Highway 31 to Highway 21 (at the “Y” near the Alabama/Florida state line) at a total cost of $513,893.60 — with $411,114.88 from the state and $102,778.72 in matching local funds.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians will receive $1,514,881.20 from state and make a local match of $378,72030 for a total of $1,893,601.50 for Atmosphere Road improvements, bridge improvements and resurfacing.
The projects are two of 105 announced Thursday that will be funded through ATRIP — the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement program.
ATRIP is the largest road and bridge improvement program in Alabama’s history. The improvements are designed to enhance safety and quality of life for people in communities across the state. Further, the transportation projects will also serve as an economic development tool. Updated roads and bridges will help the state recruit additional jobs from companies that depend on a modern, solid infrastructure to transport goods.
“From large cities to rural areas, the people of this state deserve reliable, safe roads and bridges,” Governor Bentley said. “School buses should not have to be detoured around substandard bridges. Communities need help improving roads that are currently over capacity or in need of various safety improvements.”
“Also, companies depend on updated roads and bridges to help them safely conduct business and make deliveries,” Governor Bentley added. “As we improve our infrastructure, we will improve the business climate in the state and make Alabama more attractive to businesses seeking to locate here and bring additional jobs.”
Governor Bentley first unveiled the ATRIP program in February. Cities and counties across the state then submitted project proposals for the initial round of funding. ATRIP applications were analyzed by the Alabama Department of Transportation. Eligible projects were reviewed by an advisory committee, which, in conjunction with Governor Bentley, made the final project funding decisions.